In Arizona the number of full-liquor licenses is capped (a quota state), so most bars buy an existing license on the secondary market — typically $30,000–$100,000+ for a Series 06 bar license (high-demand Maricopa up to ~$240k); Series 12 is non-transferable — rather than getting a new one from the state. The state's own application fee is $100 application + $1,500 one-time issuance; annual renewal Series 06 $150 / Series 12 $500 (+$30 surcharge). New quota Series 06 from the lottery also pays fair-market value to the state.
Bottom line: issuing body is the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC); the license most bars/restaurants need is the Series 12 Restaurant (full spirits, ≥40% food, uncapped) or Series 06 Bar (full spirits, quota-limited/transferable); typical timeline Series 12 ~65–105 days; Series 06 varies (open-market vs annual lottery); state fee $100; existing-license resale $30,000–$100,000+ for a Series 06 bar license (high-demand Maricopa up to ~$240k); Series 12 is non-transferable.
High-level overview of the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC) process — your exact path depends on license type, city/county, and whether you're applying new vs. transferring an existing license.
| State application / license fee | $100 application + $1,500 one-time issuance; annual renewal Series 06 $150 / Series 12 $500 (+$30 surcharge). New quota Series 06 from the lottery also pays fair-market value to the state |
| Existing license (secondary market) | $30,000–$100,000+ for a Series 06 bar license (high-demand Maricopa up to ~$240k); Series 12 is non-transferable |
| License type (bar/restaurant) | Series 12 Restaurant (full spirits, ≥40% food, uncapped) or Series 06 Bar (full spirits, quota-limited/transferable) |
| Quota state? | Yes — supply is capped |
| Typical timeline | Series 12 ~65–105 days; Series 06 varies (open-market vs annual lottery) |
Arizona caps Series 06 (bar) and Series 07 (beer & wine bar) licenses by county population, so the all-liquor Series 06 'bar' license trades on a secondary market; restaurant (Series 12) licenses are non-quota.
A liquor-license consultant / expediter handles the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC) application, public notice, background packet, and (in quota states) the transfer paperwork — typically $2,000–$10,000 depending on complexity. Worth it if you're on a build timeline and can't afford a rejected application.
Start at the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC) →
Tip for the owner: set AFFILIATE_LIQUOR_PRO_URL to a licensing-consultant lead-gen/affiliate link to monetize this CTA. Until then it points to the official Arizona board.
Arizona's Series 12 restaurant license is uncapped but requires 40%+ of gross sales to be food — choose Series 06 (quota, pricey) if you want a bar without the food ratio.
See the full per-step requirements: Arizona liquor license requirements → · Cost detail: Arizona liquor license cost →
Apply to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC). The license most bars and restaurants need is the Series 12 Restaurant (full spirits, ≥40% food, uncapped) or Series 06 Bar (full spirits, quota-limited/transferable). Because Arizona caps the number of these licenses, you usually buy an existing one (about $30,000–$100,000+ for a Series 06 bar license (high-demand Maricopa up to ~$240k); Series 12 is non-transferable) and transfer it, then get state approval. Expect roughly Series 12 ~65–105 days; Series 06 varies (open-market vs annual lottery) from a complete application to issuance.
Two numbers: the state application/license fee is $100 application + $1,500 one-time issuance; annual renewal Series 06 $150 / Series 12 $500 (+$30 surcharge). New quota Series 06 from the lottery also pays fair-market value to the state; the real cost in a quota state is the price of an existing license on the secondary market, typically $30,000–$100,000+ for a Series 06 bar license (high-demand Maricopa up to ~$240k); Series 12 is non-transferable, because the state caps how many exist.
Typically Series 12 ~65–105 days; Series 06 varies (open-market vs annual lottery) from a complete application, per the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC) process — longer if there's a public-notice/protest period or local council approval. Arizona's Series 12 restaurant license is uncapped but requires 40%+ of gross sales to be food — choose Series 06 (quota, pricey) if you want a bar without the food ratio.
Usually both. The Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC) issues the state license (Series 12 Restaurant (full spirits, ≥40% food, uncapped) or Series 06 Bar (full spirits, quota-limited/transferable)); your city or county typically requires a separate local permit, zoning sign-off, or council approval. Confirm local requirements with your city before you apply to the state.
Looking in California instead? LiquorDesk also tracks surrendered & transfer-pending California liquor licenses by county, live from the CA ABC export — often a faster route than a new quota license.
Regulatory facts on this page are from the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC) (Arizona's official alcohol-licensing authority). Verified against the board's published material on 2026-06-22. Fees, quotas and rules change — always confirm the current figures with the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC) before you apply. This is informational regulatory content, not legal advice; for a transfer or contested application consult a licensed attorney or licensing consultant.